Match receptacle



Aug.` 9,1927.

M. T. SPRING MATCH RECEPTACLE 4Filed Sept. 24, '1925 Patented Aug. 9, 1927.

UNITEDY STATES MARCUS T. SPRING, 0F PEPPERELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

MATCH RECEPTACLE.

Application 1ed September 24, 1925. Serial- No. 58,240.

My invention relates to match receptacles and it has for its object to provide an improved article of this kind. It is also an object of my invention to provide a match receptacle for use with matches whose stems are made much shorter, or smaller than is the case with the ordinary match heretofore provided, so that it will hold al much greater number of these smaller matches than of the old style long match, and so that a great saving in the amount of wood required inthe manufacture of matches is effected.

To these ends I have provided an improved match receptacle or boX having the peculiar features of construction and mode of operation set forth in the following description, the particular novel features of the invention being pointed out and defined in the claims at the close thereof. j

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in section, of a match receptacle constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation, also enlarged, of the clutch member hereinafter described.

Figure 3 is a sectional view', also enlarged, of another form of clutch member for use with the box of the receptacle shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional View, on enlarged scale, of a modified form of my invention.

Figure 5 is an elevation, partly in section of the clutch member of the receptacle shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 in Figure 4.

My improved match receptacle, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, comprises a hollow sheet meta-l body 1 within which is fixed near one end thereof, a partition wall 2 carrying at its middle a tube 3. The partition 2 supports the tube 3 at the middle of the hollow body 1 and vsaid tube extends from the partition 2 in one direction as far as the rear end of the body 1. This end of the body-is normally closed by a removable cap 4. At the other side of the partition 2 the tube 3 projects from partition 2 for a short distance toward the opposite-or delivery end of the body 1 and is formed at one side thereof with a slot or hole 5 into which projects the free end vof a spring arm. Near its opposite end vthe arm 6 is secured at 7 upon the inside lof body 1. f

That portion vof the tubular body 1 between the partition 2 and the delivery end of said body serves as a pocket to receive a removable clutch member by means of which the matches are removed one at a time from the receptacle, said clutch member serving also as a means by which each match that is removed is held while it is burning. This clutch member comprises a body 8 provided with a handle 9, said body 8 having secured thereto four spring arms 10 each formed at its free end with an outwardly bent portion 11 which serves as a cam and two of said arms being formed with shoulders 12 which constitutes stops limiting the extent to which a match stem enters between the spring jaw 10. Y

The annular chamber 13 surrounding the tube 3 serves as a storage space for holding a supply of matches 14, said matches being made with stems about one half inch long.

As shown in the drawings, the'central tubeV 3 is loaded with a number of these matches which are placed therein with their stems foremost.

When the spring jaws of the clutch member are shoved into the delivery end of body 1 the cam ends 11 of said jaws engage the end of the tube 3 and are spread apart or opened so that, with the body 1 held perpendicular, the lower-most match will fall by gravity into position between the spring j awswith the lower end of its stem againstthe shoulders 12. When the clutch member is thus shoved into the body 1, one of the jaws 10 also engages the spring detent't and bends it later.- ally thereby withdrawing its free end from the interior of tube 3 and allowing the lower-most match to fall into the clutch member as described. Now, when the clutch member is pulled downwardly out of the body 1 the spring jaws 10 close against and grip the match which moves down with them, and at the same time the spring detent 6 moves inwardly and prevents the other matches within the tube 3 from following the irst match. When the clutch member is removed from the body 1 it serves as a holder by means of which the match can be ignited and held while being used. In order that the clutch member shall be properly positioned when inserted in the body 1 so that one of the spring jaws 10 will always engage the spring detent 6, a pin or stud 15 is provided on one of said jaws to enter a positioning slot 16 formed in, body 1 at the delivery end thereof.

Figure 3 shows another form of clutch member in which the shoulders V12 of Figure 2 are absent, the bottom of the match stem pocket at the free ends of the spring jaws 10 being constituted by the end ot a plunger 17 made with 'a stem 172t eXtendmg loosely through the body 8? of the clutch member. The inner end of theplunger 1 7 is made conical, or trustro-conical, as shown at 18 so that when the outer end ot stem 17 is'shoved `inwardly by linger orthumb pressure, the end lportion 18 wedges in between the tines or jaws 10 spreading them apart and at the same. time ejecting the used match. VVhen'the pressure on the stem 1'? 1 is removed the jaws 10 move inwardlyand, inldoing so,'act upon the end l18 to restore the plunger to its normal position.

In fthe form ot' my invention shown Ain Figures 4 and bythe delivery end fot the match holding tube 3a is vtlaredasfat 3b so that when lthejaws 10n of Ythe clutch member 81 aregshovedintofthe bodyl, said `flared portion serves to centralizethem oppositelthe delivery end ot tube 3a. The jaws 101 `are spring arms tending to spread apart and have mounted upon them a sliding collar 19 which, when moved toward the handleend of the clutch, forces the two` jaws .10 together against the stem of the match.

Flexibletines 2() secured '.tocollar 19 are adapted-to enter the end of body 1 Ato trictionally hold the clutch in position 4within thelatter when-the device is-not in use.

When operating the t'orm of fmy Ainvention shown'in Figures 4 .and 5 the'collar 219 of the clutch-member is positioned near the extremities of t-he jaws 102L jand the 4latter shoved into body 1. During this :movement of the jaws -lO'into body 12the 'latter serves as an abutment to hold the collar 19 against movement withthe jaws withthe result that the latter are forced together against the stem of `the lowermost match. This form of my invention is notjprovided with a de- Y tent corresponding with the detent Got Fig Y ure 1 and therefore during the 4process of removing a match from body 1aM otFigure 4, said body will be positioned so/as to prevent discharge of matches by gravity ytrom .tube 3 while the clutch is removed and until it has been partly inserted within the body and the match'poclretat the -free ends of the jaws 10a is in position to receive the stem of the lowermost match. Only two jaws 10a are provided and for vthis reason each .is made upon opposite sides-thereof, just above the shoulders 12 of said jaws, with'wings 21 which serve to hold the match stem inposition between thev jaws.

What I claimfis:

41. In combination a-tubular container for holdinga plurality ot' matches end to end in a row, and a clutch adapted tovbe'm'anipuylated vto grip and remove 'the matchatone end of said container and vto serve as a holder lfor said Imatch while itzis beingused.

2. In combination, atubiilar container for holding a plurality of matches end torend in a row, with provision for feeding movement of the vrow lengthwise of the tube by ,gravityand a clutch adapted to be manipulated to grip and remove the match at one for said match while vvit :is being used.

4. In'combinatiom aitubular container for holding'a pluralityof matches'end to end in a row; a removablecap 'closingfoneend ofsaid tube, and a separable Iclutch ,member removably vditted to said [container and occupying a :position at the opposite loutlet endthereo't so as to serve as a closure orthe same,andfadaptedfto be manipulated togrip and `remove the match at--said outlet or delivery end and to serve as a ho'lder'forsaid match while 4it isbeing used.

j 5. In combination, .fa tubularbody.;aidelivery tube lcentrally supported within said tubular bod-y -so as to provide a storage space for matches between said tube 'and the wall of said body; a removable cap Inormally closing` the inletY endsofsaid body vand tube; -a partition within 'said bod-y'eonnect- .ing the -latter andthe tube near vtheir Ydelivery ends, and a clutch member removably mounted within the delivery fend of :said body and adap'ted'tofbe manipulatedftoggrip and .remove 'the match lat the delivery end of Vsaid 'tube yand .to 'serve as aholder -'or said match while it is being used. Y

6. In combination, a tubular body.; a idelivery tube centrally supported -within said tubular body Vso asxto providea 4storagespace for matches between saidltube andithewvall of saidbody; a removable capnormallyfclosing the inlet'endsfof said body fand-tube;

a partition within said body conneetingthe flatter and thetube .near theirdelivery'ends, and a clutch member .removably 'mounted within lthe delivery. end of said bodyfso :esito serve v'as-a closure 'for the-delivery end of said tube fand adaptedto be manipulated -to grip andremove theymatch at r'said -delivery end and Kto Y serve as a :holder for said match while it -isbeing used.

y'i'. Incolnbinatiom yatubular body; aldelivery ltube centrally supported within 'said (tubular-body sofasto provideza Ystorage.sp-ace for unatches between Vsaid-tube and the wall ot said body; a removable cap normally closing the inletendsof s-aidboolyand tube; v fa partition within saidjbodyconnee-ting-the end of said :container and to serve as a -V Ilm latter and the tube near their delivery ends,

- and a clutch memberremovably mounted Within the delivery end of said body so as to serve as a closure for the delivery end of said tube and adapted to be manipulated to grip and remove the match at said delivery end and to serve as a holder for said match While it is being used, said clutch member comprising a body and a plurality of resilient match gripping jaws occupying a position Within said body When said member is in its normal position Within the end of the latter.

8. In combination, a tubular body; a delivery tube centrally supported Within said tubular body so as to provide a storage space for matches between said tube and the Wall of said body; a removable cap normally closing the inlet ends of said body and tube; a. partition Within said body connecting the latter and the tube near their delivery ends; a clutch member removably mounted Within the delivery end of said body and adapted to be manipulated to grip and remove the match at the delivery end of said tube and to serve as a holder for said match while it is being used, and a detent normally preventing the exit of matches from the delivery end of said tube, said clutch member comprising a plurality of spring match-engaging'jaws that are operated automatically by the delivery end of said tube and one of which serves to retract said detent when said member is inserted Within said body.

9. In combination, a tubular body; a delivery tube centrally supported within said tubular body so as to provide a storage space for matches between said tube and the Wall of said body; a removable closure for the inlet ends of said body and tube; a clutch member removably mounted within the delivery end of said body and adapted to be manipulated to grip and remove the match at the delivery end of said tube and to serve as a holder for said match While it is being used, and a detent adjacent the delivery end of the tube and normally preventing the discharge of matches therefrom, said vdetent being automatically operated by said clutch 

